A Closer Look at the Indigo-Dyed Nike Flyknit Racer

Hand-dyed indigo. Only 100 pairs. Because Japan.

Although the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio wrapped up less than a week ago, it seems that Nike is already working to build up hype for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Limited to only 100 pairs, the sportswear giant unveiled a special-edition Flyknit Racer with an upper that has been hand-dyed with Japanese indigo, a fabric treatment that dates back centuries in the region. Also featuring script in the Japanese writing system, Katakana, the tongue simply reads, “Nike.” Designed to honor the craftsmanship seen in Japanese products, it is a shame that these will not be released to the public.